Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 372
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 372

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

372 YOUNG PEOPLE’S WORK

“Ambassadors for Christ,” and ad hoc local groups such
as human rights organizations will be the continual con-
cern of the Board for Young People’s Work.

The board also recognizes that not all young people
are formally involved in the youth ministry of the
Synod. Many young people, because of varied interests,
perspectives, talents, and commitments, may attach
themselves to other formal or informal groups (peers,
high school, clubs, etc.) to express their sense of self-
worth. However, such young people are the proper
concern of the church, both because the Word of God
compels a ministry to our young and because such
young people do have a positive and important contri-
bution to make to the church. The board will attempt
to remain in contact with such young people. The board
will also apprize the church on the means of minister-
ing to such youth.

In view of such a relationship between the Board
for Young People’s Work and the youth of the church,
the board respectfully requests that paragraph 7.73 e be
changed to read as follows:

e. provide guidance for all forms of interparish ministry

among youth developed within the Synod, such as the
Walther League, young-adult groups, and other youth-led
movements or associations;
This request is made because the attitude of the board
toward the youth of our church is one of trust and
openness. The board feels strongly that the word “re-
sponsible” in the present constitutional context suggests
a type of authority which may pose problems of atti-
tude, structure, and relationship with auxiliary organi-
zations. The Board for Young People’s Work seeks
partnership, not authority, with such movements. In an
open partnership, true authority can best be exercised
and respected.

Such a partnership is essential if youth themselves
are to continue to make creative contributions to youth
ministry. The Board for Young People’s Work will at-
tempt to sensitize and to inform adults, boards, and
parishes regarding the important contributions which
young people do make when, in a trusting relationship
with adults, they open up new avenues of ministry to,
with, and by young people. The board will commend
to the church as a whole, and to youth in particular,
those patterns and forms of youth ministry which are
commendable and express the mission of the church in
the world. Further, the board will exercise its responsi-
bility to young people by nurturing an atmosphere of
church life which is conducive and receptive to the
unique contributions of young people.

D. Training of Professional Workers with Youth

Our understanding of young people, the nature of
the church, and the mission of the body of Christ will
lead the board to “make suggestions to the Synod’s
Board for Higher Education and other boards, commit-
tees, and agencies in the Synod responsible for the
training of professional workers with youth.” (7.73 f)

Such training involves the Synod’s teachers colleges
and seminaries, Valparaiso University, and the Lay

Training Institute. The Board for Young People’s Work,
as in the past, will sponsor synodical-school workshops
where and when possible and will continue to assist in
the Youth Leadership Training Program at Valparaiso.
The board will remain in consultative relationships with
representatives of these institutions and provide them
with current information, youth ministry resources, and
curriculum assistance. Present training efforts, we hope,
will be augmented in the future.

E. Sharing of Information

The Board for Young People’s Work will “provide
members of the Synod with information about the
Christian youth ministry through all of the Synod’s
informational media” (7.73 g). As in the past, the board
will encourage the full utilization of official synodical
publications, District editions of the Lutheran Witness,
the resources of the public relations office, District bul-
letins, and other media to apprize the church on direc-
tion, events, and happenings in youth ministry.

In addition, the board, through Focus, RESOURCES
for Youth Ministry, Bulletin for District Leaders, and
special communications will provide interpretative in-
formation regarding the direction and resources of
youth ministry. Such communication will be oriented
to youth leaders, pastors, synodical and District leaders,
and others entrusted with youth ministry at various
levels.

F. Training

Perhaps the most crucial phase of the ministry of
the Board for Young People’s Work is the provision of
“training .. . for representatives of the Boards for
Young People’s Work of the Synod and Districts . . .
leaders and workers with youth in the congregations,
the Districts, and the Synod.” (7.73 h)

Such training provides key access to information
about young people and youth ministry. The discussion
between synodical staff and local personnel is usually
rich, varied, and conducive to change. The board and
its representatives cherish such training programs and
intend to continue and expand training in the future.
In the past the Board for Young People’s Work has
trained professional workers, lay counselor trainers,
mass-gathering advisers, Encounter school deans, Visit
administrators, and others. This equipping has resulted
in a large corps of experienced leaders of youth.

Of immediate priority is the training of District
Youth Commission members so that they can more
adequately understand and perform their responsi-
bilities. Such training will take place in a context where
adults and youth can assist one another in defining the
roles of youth and adults in the church.

G. Research
All training and programing is guided by “research
activities necessary to develop, improve, and promote
the youth ministry” (7.731). Church Youth Research,
the Youth Leadership Training Program at Valparaiso,
a high school research project, and the “Rural Youth
Ministry” project have had an impact on training and